1940

Babe Tancrede

Babe Tancrede is the winner at the Daytona 200, riding a WLDR model.

1941

Army rider on Harley-Davidson WLA model

FL model

America is plunged into World War II. Production of civilian motorcycles is almost entirely suspended in favor of military production. The Service School is converted back to the Quartermasters School for the training of military mechanics.

The FL series premieres.

1942

XA model

Among other motorcycles made for the Army, H-D produces the unique XA 750, a motorcycle with horizontally opposed cylinders and shaft drive, designed for desert use. The contract is cancelled early due to war combat moving out of North Africa. Only 1,011 XA's are built.